Reading, Coffee, and Exploring Darwin: A Story from Era

In the corner of a coffee shop in Darwin, a young woman sits with an open book in her hands. A cup of latte steams on the table, its aroma blending with the warm tropical air. 

She is Era, Ni Luh Pt Rastiti Era Agustini a book lover from Bali who now calls Darwin home. For her, coffee and books are inseparable—small rituals that bring comfort amidst the journey of life in a foreign land.

Ni Luh Pt Rastiti Era Agustini | photo by Era doc.

Reading has been a part of her life since high school. Back then, the school library was her escape from the noise of the world. 

Now, in Darwin, coffee shops play the same role—a place to pause, soak in the atmosphere, and lose herself in the stories that fill her mind.

HUDES | Worldwide Digital Magazine for Manual Coffer Brewers

But coffee? That was something she only truly appreciated after reading Filosofi Kopi by Dee Lestari. Before that, coffee was just something bitter and unfamiliar. 

However, as she explored the world of coffee further, she realized that behind every cup, there is a story, a process, and a taste that can be enjoyed in different ways. 

Starting with cappuccinos and lattes, she slowly dared to try black coffee and discovered that bitterness can be sweet when given a chance.

As a small city in Northern Australia, Darwin has a unique coffee culture. Unlike in Bali, where coffee shops stay open until late at night, most cafés in Darwin close by the afternoon. Mornings are busy with people grabbing their coffee and rushing off—quick, efficient, with little small talk.

For Era, however, coffee shops are places to slow down. She enjoys sitting, observing people, or occasionally chatting with the baristas. One of her favorite spots is Meow Waffee, a cozy café serving specialty coffee from Code Black, paired with delicious waffles. With its warm-toned interior and homey atmosphere, it has become her weekend retreat. Another favorite is The 1995 Darwin, a small roadside café offering a relaxing spot to enjoy the tropical breeze.

“In Bali, coffee shops are often lively social hubs where people hang out for hours. Here, most people just get their coffee to go. So if I sit around reading for a long time, I probably stand out a little,” she says with a laugh.

Although she enjoys her coffee routine in Darwin, Era has one dream: to bring Indonesian coffee closer to the people here. So far, there aren’t many cafés in Darwin that highlight Indonesian coffee like in Melbourne or Sydney. If she ever opens her own coffee shop, she wants it to be more than just a place for great coffee, she envisions a warm and inviting space, inspired by the nostalgic atmosphere of Studio Ghibli films.

“It would be amazing to have a place that combines Indonesian coffee, a cozy ambiance, and maybe even a collection of books for people to enjoy,” she shares.

Coffee and Books, A Perfect Pairing

When asked about her favorite coffee-and-book combination, Era picks one book and one coffee that she thinks complement each other best. Artisan Brand by Handoko Hendroyono is her choice—a book that discusses creativity and branding strategy in an engaging way. As for coffee, she’s currently into batch brew, a drink she once thought was too bitter but now appreciates for its rich and complex aftertaste.

At the end of our conversation, Era sums up her coffee and reading experience in Darwin in three words: Simple. Relaxed. Focused.